Printing machine



Dec. 31, 1963 J. T. REINHARDT ETAL PRINTING MACHINE 3 sheets sheet 1Filed Sept. 12, 1962 31, 1963 J. r. REINHARDT ETAL 5,

PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1962 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 3 70 70 III! In?E! E! I: I i w Ef'i L :za I

31, 1963 J. T. REiNHARDT ETAL 5 PRINTING MACHINE Filed Sept. 12, 1962 3Sheets-Sheet 3 Film HZ :i

F I q War/wigs United States Patent 3,115,826 PRINTING MACHINE John T.Reinhardt, 410 Hanna St., Logansport, Ind., and Austin A. Baker, Kokomo,Ind; said Baker assiguor to said Reinhardt Filed Sept. 12, 1962, Ser.No. 223,008 8 Claims. (Cl. 101-41) The present invention relates to aprinting machine having particular utility in the marking or printing ofInformation on items of manufacture such as cartons, tags, hardware andthe like.

Self-inking stamp mechanisms are conventional and have been used formany years in industrial printing. These mechanisms are manuallyoperated such that at least a modicum of operator skill is required inproducing a clear and legible imprint. When an operator is required toprint items on a continuous basis in mass-production quantities,erractic results enter in by reason of operator fatigue, impropermanually applied forces and other skill factors which are required.

The present invention utilizes the aforementioned selfinking stamp inconnection with auxiliary operating equip men-t whereby the stampingmechanism may be cyclically operated in a precise and consistent mannerwith substantial speed. The resulting apparatus thereby becomes a highproduction, accurate printing machine which can be used for a relativelygreat number of repetitive production applications.

It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a printingapparatus which is precise and consistent in operation from one printingoperation to another and which overcomes the problems of operatorfatigue, skill and the like which attended the use of the prior art,manually operated stamping mechanism.

It is still another object of this invention to provide a printingapparatus which is economical to construct and operate, is reliable inoperation, and is also efficient.

Other objects will become apparent as the description proceeds.

The above-mentioned and other features and objects of this invention andthe manner of attaining them will become more apparent and the inventionitself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptionof an embodiment of the invention taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of this invention with thecover portion thereof shown in vertical section;

FIG. 2 is a sectional illustration taken substantially along sectionline 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a side elevation partly sectioned of the apparatus shown inFIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a front view of the clamping mechanism;

FIG. 5 is a longitudinal section of the clamping mechanism;

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary front view, partially sectioned, of theembodiment of FIG. 1 showing the stamping mechanism in the operatedposition of making an imprint;

FIG. 7 is a side view of a conventional self-inking stamp as used in theapparatus of the preceding figs;

FIG. -8 is a front view of the stamps; and

FIG. 9 is a sectional view taken substantially along the section line9-9 of FIG. 8.

Referring to the drawings, and more particularly to FIGS. 1 and 3, asupporting stand comprises a flat base plate it having an upstandingcylindrical supporting column 12 secured thereto. The base plate isprovided with a flat upper surface 14 which receives thereon a fiatleveling plate 16. This leveling plate 16 is secured to the base plate14 by means of two screws 18 (FIG. 2)

3,115,826 Patented Dec. 31, 1963 which pass through the leveling plate16 and are threaded into the base plate 10. By tightening these screws1.8 down, the leveling plate 16 may be rigidly secured to th. base plate10.

In the corners of the leveling plate 16 are provided screws 20 which arereceived in threaded openings passing entirely through the plate '16.These screws 20 are turned down until they engage the top surface 14 ofthe base plate 10, and by adjusting these screws 20 into contact withthe surface 14, the position of the upper surface of the plate 16 may beadjusted to coincide with any desired plane close to horizontal. Theimportance of this feature will become apparent from the followingdescription.

A rigid supporting frame, generally indicated by the numeral 22, isprovided with a split sleeve 24 which telescopes over the column 12. Bymeans of this sleeve 24, the frame 22 is slidably mounted on the column12. A clamping screw 26 ('FIG. 2) passes through the split sleeve 24 asshown for the purpose of tightening the sleeve onto the column 12 forsecuring frame 22 in an adjusted elevational position.

The frame 22 is also provided with a horizontal supporting plate 23which serves a purpose to be described more fully hereinafter.

Also telescopically mounted on the column 12 is a rigid bracket 30 whichmay be clamped in adjusted position on the column. This bracket 30 isprovided with an opening and a portion which is split whereby thebracket may be unclamped from the column 12, moved to an adjustedposition, and there tightened against movement. This bracket 30 closelyresembles the split sleeve 24 of the frame 2 2.

One end of the bracket 30 is provided with a threaded aperture 31 whichreceives a fine-adjusting screw 32, this screw being vertically alignedand fitted into a suitable recess 34 in the underside of the frame 22.With the screw 26 of the split sleeve 24 loosened, and the bracket 30tightened on the column 12, the screw 32 may be threaded upwardly ordownwardly to obtain an incremental adjustment of the frame 22 on thecolumn 12.

On the front side of the frame 22 and preferably integral therewith isprovided an embossment or lug 36. A bore 38 vertically alignedthreadedly receives one end of a guide pin or bolt 40 (FIGS. 4 and 5)which is vertically aligned. The lower end of the pin 46 is providedwith a head 42 which serves a purpose to be explained more fullyhereinafter.

Slidably mounted on the pin 40 between the head 42 and the lug 36 is aclamping body 44 of rigid construction. This clamping body 44 is shownin more detail in FIGS. 4 and 5. As shown, it includes two opposite,spaced-apart sides 46 and upper and lower transverse portions 48 and.50, respectively, which together define an enlarged opening 52.Extending lateraly inwardly from the two sides 46 are two ledges 54which present fiat upper surfaces having a purpose to be laterexplained.

The transverse body portion 50 projects laterally forwardly of theclamping body 44 and also downwardly to provide a jaw portion 56 havinga transverse notch 60 in the underside thereof.

A lever 62, which resembles a flat plate, is provided between its endswith two depending fulcrums 64 which are spaced apart so as to beengageable with the upper surfaces of the two ledges 54 as shown moreclearly in FIG. 5. The front end of this lever 62 is provided with anupwardly facing notch 66 while the rear end 68 is engaged on the upperside thereof by a pair of abutment screws 70 threaded through the uppertransverse portion 48 of the clamping body 44. By raising and loweringthe screws 70, the pivoted position of the lever 68 with respect to theledges 54 may be altered.

The clamping body 44 is mounted on the guide pin 40 by means of the twoaligned apertures 72 in the upper and lower transverse portions 48 and50 as more clearly shown in FIG. 5. These openings 72 which may beprovided with suitable bearing sleeves permit the clamping body to slideupwardly and downwardly on the guide pin 40, the uppermost positionbeing that at which the clamping body might engage the frame lug 32 andthe lowermost position being that at which the bottom portion of theclamping body 44 engages the head 42. Thus, the head 42 acts as anabutment or stop which permits only limited downward movement of theclamping body 44.

A conventional self-inking stamping mechanism, generally indicated bythe reference numeral 74, is shown in more detail in FIGS. 7, 8 and 9.While this printing mechanism is conventional, still a brief descriptionthereof is believed to be in order. The mechanism comprises a rigid,stamped metal frame 76 bent to a substantially U- shape with oppositeparallel sides 73 depending from the crossbar portion 80. Bentdownwardly from the lateral edges of the crossbar portion 80 are tworigid flanges 82 which are used in connection with mounting this printer74 on the clamping body 44 as will be explained in more detailhereinafter.

A conventional inking pad 84 is secured to the upper inside of thecrossbar portion 80 between the two sides 78 as more clearly shown inFIG. 9. Then, immediately beneath the inking pad 84 is a printing pad 86mounted on a flat plate 88 having two spaced apart, depending cam ears90 which are each provided with a cam slot 92. The cam slot 92 of eachcam car 90 fits over a roller or suitable bearing 94 which is attachedto the respective frame side 78 so as to project inwardly thereof (FIG.8).

Both frame sides 78 are provided with identical slots 96 which areshaped as shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the midportion of these slots 96 beingcurved as shown around the bearings 94. The opposite end portions of theslots 96, however, are in straight vertical alignment with each otherand also with the cam bearing 94 as shown.

A suitable handle or yoke 98 is provided with two parallel arms 100which straddle the frame sides 78. The lower extremities of these arms100 are provided with elongated slots 102 which in turn receive forsliding movement suitable bearings mounted on a shaft 104 which passesthrough the slots 96 and also through suitable openings in the two camcars 90 of the printing plate 88. Also, the lower ends of the two arms100 are provided with inturned flanges or guide elements 106 which fitinto parallel upright slots 103 in the frame side 78. These slots 108terminate adjacent the bottom ends of the frame side 78 and therebylimit the relative downward movement of the yoke 98 with respect to theprinter frame 74.

Secured to the crossbar portion 80 of the printer frame is an upstandingguide rod 110 which is passed through a suitable clearance opening inthe yoke 98 and telescopically received by an actuating rod 112 which issecured to the yoke 98 as shown. By this means, it is possible to movethe yoke 98 downwardly with respect to the printer frame 74 such thatthe printing pad 86 may be flipped over and moved downwardly to make animprint on an object placed beneath the mechanism. More particularly,with the printing mechanism in the position illustrated in FIGS. 7, 8and 9, the printing pad 86 is abutted against the inking pad 84. Bymoving the yoke 98 downwardly relative to the printer frame 74, the pad86 is carried downwardly and turned 180 by reason of the cam cars 90swinging around the bearings 94 while the shaft 104 with its bearingsare moved downwardly in the two slots 96 to the lower extremitiesthereof. Once the lower extremities of the slots 96 have been reached,the printing pad 86 is faced downwardly and in position to be impressedagainst an object which is being printed.

Thus, by upward and downward movement of the yoke 98 with respect to theframe 74, alternate printing and inking operations may be effected.These operations as well as the mechanism just described areconventional and well known to persons skilled in the art.

To the actuating rod 112 is clamped an upstanding bar 114 into the upperend of which is threadedly fitted the lower end of a piston rod 116,this piston rod extending from an upright power cylinder 118 which issuitably secured to the upper plate portion 28 of the frame 22. As shownmore clearly in FIG. 1, this piston rod 116 is secured to a piston 119which is reciprocably received by the cylinder bore 120. The lower endof the cylinder bore 120 is closed by means of an end cap 122 throughwhich the piston rod 116 reciprocably passes, this end cap 122 servingas an abutment for limiting the downward movement of the piston 119. Thesignificance of this abutment will become apparent from the descriptionto follow.

A crossbar 124 is transversely secured to the extension bar 114 by meansof suitable screws as shown and has secured to the opposite ends thereoftwo tension springs which are attached at the upper ends thereof tosuitable hooks 128 depending from and rigidly secured to the frame plate28. These springs 126 are of sufficient strength to urge normally theentire mechanism to the position as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3.

A suitable sheet metal cover having three sides and opposite open endsis fitted over the mechanism as shown in FIGS. 1 and 3, the sides of thecover embracing the opposite lateral sides 132 of the vertical portionof the frame 22. The cover sides are slotted in alignment with theseedges 132 and receive through the slots suitable screws 134 which arethreaded into the frame 22. By this means, the cover may be attached tothe frame 22 and may also be conveniently raised and lowered withrespect to the frame by reason of the slots aforementioned.

As shown more clearly in FIG. 3, the printing mechanism 74 is rigidlyattached to the clamping body 44 by means of the jaw portion 53 and thelever 66. The screws are loosened to a suitable extent for the purposeof permitting the lever 64 to swing sufficiently far in acounterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 3. The notch 60 in the jawportion 58 is fitted over the frame bar 59 which is secured at itsopposite ends to the printer frame sides 78 while the notch 66 of thelever 62 is fitted against the bottom edge of the depending frame flange82. The screws 70 are thereupon tightened to swing the lever 62clockwise until the lever notch 66 tightly engages the flange 82 andthereby clamps the printer frame 74 between the jaw portion 58 and thelever 62. This provides a rigid mounting of the printer on the clampingbody 44.

In operation, an object to be imprinted is first placed on the levelingplate 16 directly beneath the printer 74. It will be assumed that theapparatus has been properly adjusted at this time. Air under pressure isadmitted to the power cylinder 118 which serves to drive the piston 119downwardly until it bottoms against the end cap 122. This results in theyoke 93 of the printer being moved downwardly and also permits theclamping body 44 to drop downwardly until it abuts against the head 42of the guide pin 40. Further downward movement of the yoke 98 serves toflip the printing pad 86 over and downwardly into printing position, theprinting pad coming into contact with the object to be printed at thebottom of its travel. The limit of the printing pads downward travel isdetermined by the engagement of the piston 119 with the end cap 122, andthe equipment is so adjusted that the piston 119 will so bottom beforethe guide elements 106 on the yoke 98 engage the bottoms of therespective slots 108. Once the printing impression has been made, theair pressure admitted to the power cylinder 11% is released, thereuponpermitting the retracting springs 126 to lift the yoke as well as theclamping body 44 away from the object. The object may be removed andanother like object inserted in its place for another printingoperation.

In the initial adjustment of the mechanism, the piston 119 is firstbottomed against the end cap 122 which serves in moving the guideelements 106 of the yoke 98 to the lower extremities of the two frameslots 108. The pin 40 is then adjusted such (moving the clamp body 44upwardly or downwardly as the case may be) until the lower ends of theslots 108 either just clear or have no more than touching engagementwith the guide elements 106. Once so adjusted, the force exerted by thepiston 119 cannot be transmitted through the yoke 98 and against thelower ends of the slots which could result in damage to the printerframe 76.

With respect to the necessary adjustments for making a printingimpression upon an object of a given height, the object is first placedon the plate 16 directly beneath the printer 74. The clamping body 44 ismoved downwardly against the head 42 following which the frame 22 isadjusted such that the bottom of the printer 74 will just touch or clearthe object being printed. Since it is difficult to obtain fine orincremental adjustments of the frame 22 on the column 12, loosening ofthe clamping screw 26 and permitting the frame 22 to bear against thefine-adjusting screw 32 will permit the latter to be used inincrementally moving the frame 22 upwardly or downwardly until theproper height of the printer 74 with respect to the object is obtained.Following this, the clamping screw 26 is tightened to secure the frame22 on the column 12. The machine is thereby adjusted and may be usedrepeatedly for making imprints on a continuous stream of like objects.

While we have described above the principles of our invention inconnection with specific apparatus, it is to be clearly understood thatthis description is made only by way of example and not as a limitationto the scope of our invention.

What is claimed is:

1. A printing machine comprising a base plate having a supporting columnupstanding therefrom, a leveling plate superposed on said base plate andhaving four leveling screws threaded therethrough and extending intoabutting contact with said base plate, said leveling screws being spacedapart and located at the corners of an imaginary rectangle, two spacedapart mounting screws passing through said leveling plate and threadedinto said base plate for securing the two plates together, a rigidsupporting frame having a split sleeve which slidably receives saidcolumn whereby said frame may be vertically adjusted on said column, aclamping screw threaded through said sleeve for tightening said sleeveonto said column, a rigid adjustment bracket adjustably secured to saidcolumn beneath said frame, a fine-adjusting screw threaded through saidbracket and extending vertically to abut the underside of said framewhereby the vertical position of said frame on said column may beadjusted, a vertically extending pin threaded at one end into said frameand having a head on the lower end spaced from said' frame, a rigidclamping body having an opening therethrough which slidably receivessaid pin, said body being abuttable with said head which limits thedownward movement thereof, a jaw portion laterally extending from thelower portion of said body, said clamping body having an enlargedopening therethrough and two horizontally aligned ledges extendinginwardly into said enlarged opening from the sides of said body, aclamping lever having front and rear ends inserted through said enlargedopening and having two depending fulcrums between said ends which engagethe top sides of said ledges respectively, said lever extendinglaterally from said body in the same direction as said jaw portion, atleast one clamping screw threaded through the upper portion of said bodyand extending downwardly into abutting engagement with the upper portionof the rear end of said lever, a printer having a frame provided withvertically spaced upper and lower abutment portions, said jaw portionand the front end of said lever being inserted in the space between saidabutment portions and forcefully engaging the same to mount firmly saidprinter frame on said clamping body, an upstanding actuating rodoperatively secured to said printer for raising and lowering the latter,said printer frame having elongated vertically aligned slots therein, astamp mechanism operatively mounted on said printer frame and havingguide elements slidably fitted into said slots, said actuating rod alsobeing operatively connected to said stamp mechanism for moving the samevertically for the length of said slots, a power cylinder having apiston bore and upper and lower ends, said power cylinder being mountedin an upright position on said rigid supporting frame and receiving apiston in said bore, said piston being engageable with said lowercylinder end as a stop, a vertically aligned piston rod passing throughsaid lower cylinder end and being secured to said piston, said pistonrod also being secured to said actuating rod whereby reciprocatorymovement of said piston causes corresponding movement of said actuatingrod, said pin being vertically adjusted such that when said pistonbottoms against said lower cylinder end said guide elements of saidstamp mechanism will move downwardly relative to said body and will haveno more than touching engagement with the lower ends of the slots insaid printer frame, and at least one spring operatively connectedbetween said rigid supporting frame and said piston rod urging thelatter upwardly.

2. A printing machine comprising a base plate having a supporting columnupstanding therefrom, a rigid supporting frame having a split sleevewhich slidably receives said column whereby said frame may be verticallyadjusted on said column, a clamping screw threaded through said sleevefor tightening said sleeve onto said column, a rigid adjustment bracketadjustably secured to said column beneath said frame, a fine-adjustingscrew threaded through said bracket and extending vertically to aboutthe underside of said frame whereby the vertical position of said frameon said column may be adjusted, a vertically extending pin threaded atone end into said frame and having a head on the lower end spaced fromsaid frame, a rigid clamping body having an opening therethrough whichslidably receives said pin, said body being abuttable with said headwhich limits the downward movement thereof, a jaw portion laterallyextending from the lower portion of said body, said clamping body havingan enlarged opening therethrough and two horizontally aligned ledgesextending inwardly into said enlarged opening from the sides of saidbody, a clamping lever having front and rear ends inserted through saidenlarged opening and having two depending fulcrums between said endswhich engage the top sides of said ledges respectively, said leverextending laterally from said body in the same direction as said jawportion, at least one clamping screw threaded through the upper portionof said body and extending downwardly into abutting engagement with theupper portion of the rear end of said lever, a printer having a frameprovided with vertically spaced upper and lower abutment portions, saidjaw portion and the front end of said lever being inserted in the spacebetween said abutment portions and forcefully engaging the same to mountfirmly said printer frame on said clamping body, an upstanding actuatingrod operatively secured to said printer for raising and lowering thelatter, said printer frame having elongated vertically aligned slotstherein, a stamp mechanism operatively mounted on said printer frame andhaving guide elements slidably fitted into said slots, said actuatingrod also being operatively connected to said stamp mechanism for movingthe same vertically for the length of said slots, a power cylinderhaving a piston bore and upper and lower ends, said power cylinder beingmounted in an upright position on said rigid supporting frame andreceiving a piston in said bore, said piston being engageable with saidlower cylinder end as a stop, a vertically aligned piston rod passingthrough said lower cylinder end and being secured to said piston, saidpiston rod also being secured to said actuating rod wherebyreciprocatory movement of said piston causes corresponding movement ofsaid actuating rod, said pin being vertically adjusted such that whensaid piston bottoms against said lower cylinder end said guide elementsof said stamp mechanism will move downwardly relative to said body andwill have no more than touching engagement with the lower ends of theslots in said printer frame, and at least one spring operativelyconnected between said rigid supporting frame and said piston rod urgingthe latter upwardly.

3. A printing machine comprising a base plate having a supporting columnupstanding therefrom, a leveling plate superposed on said base andhaving four leveling screws threaded therethrough and extending intoabutting contact with said base plate, said leveling screws being spacedapart and located at the corners of an imaginary rectangle, twospaced-apart mounting screws passing through said leveling plate andthreaded into said base plate for securing the two plates together, arigid supporting frame having a split sleeve which slidably receivessaid column whereby said frame may be vertically adjusted on saidcolumn, a clamping screw threaded through said sleeve for tighteningsaid sleeve onto said column, a vertically extending pin threaded at oneend into said frame and having a head on the lower end spaced from saidframe, a rigid clamping body having an opening therethrough whichslidably receives said pin, said body being abuttable with said headwhich limits the downward movement thereof, a jaw portion laterallyextending from the lower portion of said body, said clamping body havingan enlarged opening therethrough and two horizontally aligned ledgesextending inwardly into said enlarged opening from the sides of saidbody, a clamping lever having front and rear ends inserted through saidenlarged opening and having two depending fulcrums between said endswhich engage the top sides of said ledges respectively, said leverextending laterally from said body in the same direction as said jawportion, at least one clamping screw threaded through the upper portionof said body and extending downwardly into abutting engagement with theupper portion of the rear end of said lever, a printer having a frameprovided with vertically spaced upper and lower abutment portions, saidjaw portion and the front end of said lever being inserted in the spacebetween said abutment portions and forcefully engaging the same to mountfirmly said printer frame on said clamping body, an upstanding actuatingrod operatively secured to said printer for raising and lowering thelatter, said printer frame having elongated vertically aligned slotstherein, a stamp mechanism operatively mounted on said printer frame andhaving guide elements slidably fitted into said slots, said actuatingrod also being operatively connected to said stamp mechanism for movingthe same vertically for the length of said slots, a power cylinderhaving a piston bore and upper and lower ends, said power cylinder beingmounted in an upright position on said rigid supporting frame andreceiving a piston in said bore, said piston being engageable with saidlower cylinder end as a stop, a vertically aligned piston rod passingthrough said lower cylinder end and being secured to said piston, saidpiston rod also being secured to said actuating rod wherebyreciprocatory movement of said piston causes corresponding movement ofsaid actuating rod, said pin being vertically adjusted such that whensaid piston bottoms against said lower cylinder end said guide elementsof said stamp mechanism will move downwardly relative to said body andwill have no more than touch- :ing engagement with the lower ends of theslots in said printer frame, and at least one spring operativelyconnected between said rigid supporting frame and said piston rod urgingthe latter upwardly.

4. A printing machine comprising a base plate having a supporting columnupstanding therefrom, a rigid supporting frame having a split sleevewhich slidably receives said column whereby said frame may be verticallyadjusted on said column, a clamping screw threaded through said sleevefor tightening said sleeve onto said column, a vertically extending pinthreaded at one end into said frame and having a head on the lower endspaced from said frame, a rigid clamping body having an openingtherethrough which slidably receives said pin, said body being abuttablewith said head which limits the downward movement thereof, a jaw portionlaterally extending from the lower portion of said body, said clampingbody having an enlarged opening therethrough and two horizontallyaligned ledges extending inwardly into said enlarged opening from thesides of said body, a clamping lever having front and rear ends insertedthrough said enlarged opening and having two depending fulcrums betweensaid ends which engage the top sides of said ledges respectively, saidlever extending laterally from said body in the same direction as saidjaw portion, at least one clamping screw threaded through the upperportion of said body and extending downwardly into abutting engagementwith the uper portion of the rear end of said lever, a printer having aframe provided with vertically spaced upper and lower abutment portions,said jaw portion and the front end of said lever being inserted in thespace between said abutment portions and forcefully engaging the same tomount firmly said printer frame on said clamping body, an upstandingactuating rod operatively secured to said printer for raising andlowering the latter, said printer frame having elongated verticallyaligned slots therein, a stamp mechanism operatively mounted on saidprinter frame and having guide elements slidably fitted into said slots,said actuating rod also being operatively connected to said stampmechanism for moving the same vertically for the length of said slots, apower cylinder having a piston bore and upper and lower ends, said powercylinder being mounted in an upright position on said rigid supportingframe and receiving a piston in said bore, said piston being engageablewith said lower cylinder end as a stop, a vertically aligned piston rodpassing through said lower cylinder end and being secured to saidpiston, said piston rod also being secured to said actuating rod wherebyreciprocatory movement of said piston causes corresponding movement ofsaid actuating rod, said pin being vertically adjusted such that whensaid piston bottoms against said lower cylinder end said guide elementsof said stamp mechanism will move downwardly relative to said body andwill have no more than touching engagement with the lower ends of theslots in said printer frame, and at least one spring operativelyconnected between said rigid supporting frame and said piston rod urgingthe latter upwardly.

5. A printing machine comprising a base plate having a supporting columnupstanding therefrom, a rigid supporting frame slidably mounted on saidcolumn, a vertically extending pin threaded at one end into said frameand having a head on the lower end spaced from said frame, a rigidclamping body having an opening therethrough which slidably receivessaid pin, said body being abuttable with said head which limits thedownward movement thereof, a jaw portion laterally extending from thelower portion of said body, said clamping body having an enlargedopening there-through and two horizontally aligned ledges extendinginwardly into said enlarged opening from the sides of said body, aclamping lever having front and rear ends inserted through said enlargedopening and having two depending fulcrums between said ends which engagethe top sides of said ledges respectively, said lever extendinglaterally from said body in the same direction as said jaw portion, atleast one clamping screw threaded through the upper portion of said bodyand extending downwardly into abutting engagement with the upper portionof the rear end of said lever, a printer having a frame provided withvertically spaced upper and lower abutment portions, said jaw portionand the front end of said lever being inserted in the space between saidabutment portions and forcefully engaging the same to mount firmly saidprinter frame on said clamping body, an upstanding actuating rodoperativel-y secured to said printer for raising and lowering thelatter, said printer frame having elongated vertically aligned slotstherein, a stamp mechanism operatively mounted on said printer frame andhaving guide elements slidably fitted into said slots, said actuatingrod also being operatively connected to said stamp mechanism for movingthe same vertically for the length of said slots, a power cylinderhaving a piston bore and upper and lower ends, said power cylinder beingmounted in an upright position on said nigid supporting frame andreceiving a piston in said bore, said piston being engageable with saidlower cylinder end as a stop, a vertically aligned piston rod passingthrough said lower cylinder end and being secured to said piston, saidpiston rod also being secured to said actuating rod wherebyrecipr'ocatory movement of said piston causes corresponding movement ofsaid actuating rod, said pin being vertically adjusted such that whensaid piston bottoms against said lower cylinder end said guide elementsof said stamp mechanism will move downwardly relative to said :body andwill have no more than touching engagement with the lower ends of theslots in said printer frame, and at least one spring operativelyconnected between said rigid supporting frame and said piston rod urgingthe latter upwardly.

6. A printing machine comprising a base plate having a supporting columnupstanding therefrom, a rigid supporting frame slidably mounted on saidcolumn, a ver tically extending pin threaded at one end into said frameand having a head on the lower end spaced from said fr'me, a rigidclamping body slidably mounted on said pin and having a portionengageable with said head to limit the downward movement of said body, ajaw portion laterally extending from said body, a clamping lever havingfront and rear ends, said lever being pivotally mounted in said bodywith the front end thereof projecting laterally outwardly in the samedirection as said jaw portion, an adjustable abutment on said bodyoperatively depressing the rear end of said lever, a printer having aframe provided with vertically spaced upper and lower abutment portions,said jaw portion and the front end of said lever being inserted in thespace between said abutment portions and forcefully engaging the same tomount firmly said printer frame on said clamping body, an upstandingactuating rod operatively secured to said printer for raising andlowering the latter, said printer frame having elongated verticallyaligned slots therein, a stamp mechanism operatively mounted on saidprinter frame and having guide elements slidably fitted into said slots,said actuating rod also being operatively connected to said stampmechanism for moving the same vertically for the length of said slots, apower cylinder having a piston bore and upper and lower ends, said powercylinder being mounted in an upright position on said rigid supportingframe and receiving a piston in said bore, said piston being engageablewith said lower cylinder end as a stop, a vertically aligned piston rodpassing through said lower cylinder end and being secured to saidpiston, said piston rod also being secured to said actuating rod wherebyreciprocatory movement of said piston causes corresponding movement ofsaid actuating rod, said pin being vertically adjusted such that whensaid piston bottoms against said lower cylinder end said guide elementsof said stamp mechanism will move downwardly relative to said body andwill have no more than touching engagement with the lower ends of theslots in said printer frame, and at le s one spri g peratively connectedbetween said rigid supporting frame and said piston rod urgin the latterupwardly.

7. A printing machine comprising a base plate having a supporting columnupstanding therefrom, a rigid sup porting frame slidably mounted on saidcolumn, a ver tically extending pin threaded at one end into said frameand having a head on the lower end spaced from i frame, a rigid clampingbody slidably mounted on Said pin and having a portion engageable withsaid head to limit the downward movement of said body, a self inkingprinter having a frame rigidly secured to said clamping body, saidprinter frame having elongated vertically aligned slots therein, a stampmechanism operatively mounted on said printer frame and having guideelet'nentsf slidably fitted into said slots, an actuating rod on saidprinter operatively connected to said stamp mechanism for moving saidguide elements the length of said slots, a power cylinder having apiston bore and upper and lower ends, said power cylinder being mountedin an upright position on said rigid supporting frame and receiving apiston in said bore, said piston being engageable with said lowercylinder end as a stop, a ventically aligned piston rod passing throughsaid lower cy'iinderend and being secured to said piston, said pistonrod also being secured to said actuating rod whereby reciprocatorymovement of said piston causes correspondingmovementl of said actuatingrod, said pin being vertically adjusted such that when said pistonbottoms against said lower' cylinder end said guide elements of saidstamp mechanism will move downwardly relative to said body and will haveno more than touching engagement with the lower end of the slots in saidprinter frame, and at least one spring operatively connected betweensaid rigid supporting frame and said piston rod urging the latterupwardly. I

8. A printingmachine comprising abase plate having" a supporting columnupstanding therefrom, a rigid sup porting frame slidably mounted on saidcolumn, a vet tically extending pin threaded at one end into said frameand having a head on the lower end spaced front said frame, a rigidclamping body having an opening there through which slidably receivessaid pin, said body being abuttable with said head which limits thedownward movement thereof, a jaw portion laterally extending from thelower portion of said body, said clamping body hav ing an enlargedopening therethrough and two horizon tally aligned ledges extendinginwardly into said enlarged opening from the sides of said body, aclamping lever having front and rear ends inserted through said enlargedopening and having two depending fulcrums between said ends which engagethe top sides of said ledges respectively, said lever extendinglaterally from said body in the same direction as said jaw portion, atleast one clamping screw threaded through the upper portion of said bodyand extending downwardly int-o abutting engagement with the upperportion of the rear end of said lever, a power cylinder having a pistonbore and upper and lower ends, said power cylinder being mounted in anupright position on said rigid supporting frame and receiving a pistonin said bore, said piston being engageab-le with said lower cylinder endas a stop, and a vertically aligned piston rod passing through saidlower cylinder end and being secured to said piston.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTSHiggins et a1 Nov. 1, 1927 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OFCORRECTION December 31 1963 Patent No, 3 115 a26 John T, Reinhardt etala appears in the above numbered pat- It is hereby certified that error(1 Letters Patent should read as equiring correction and that the saient 1 corrected below.

Column 2 line B l for "lateraly" read laterally -=-g column 3 line 25for "inside" read inner side column "6 line 35 for "about" read abutcolumn 7 line l3 after "base" insert plate Signed and sealed this 9thday of June 1964c (SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD J. BRENNER ERNEST W. SWIDER Attesting Officer Commissioner ofPatents

1. A PRINTING MACHINE COMPRISING A BASE PLATE HAVING A SUPPORTING COLUMNUPSTANDING THEREFROM, A LEVELING PLATE SUPERPOSED ON SAID BASE PLATE ANDHAVING FOUR LEVELING SCREWS THREADED THERETHROUGH AND EXTENDING INTOABUTTING CONTACT WITH SAID BASE PLATE, SAID LEVELING SCREWS BEING SPACEDAPART AND LOCATED AT THE CORNERS OF AN IMAGINARY RECTANGLE, TWO SPACEDAPART MOUNTING SCREWS PASSING THROUGH SAID LEVELING PLATE AND THREADEDINTO SAID BASE PLATE FOR SECURING THE TWO PLATES TOGETHER, A RIGIDSUPPORTING FRAME HAVING A SPLIT SLEEVE WHICH SLIDABLY RECEIVES SAIDCOLUMN WHEREBY SAID FRAME MAY BE VERTICALLY ADJUSTED ON SAID COLUMN, ACLAMPING SCREW THREADED THROUGH SAID SLEEVE FOR TIGHTENING SAID SLEEVEONTO SAID COLUMN, A RIGID ADJUSTMENT BRACKET ADJUSTABLY SECURED TO SAIDCOLUMN BENEATH SAID FRAME, A FINE-ADJUSTING SCREW THREADED THROUGH SAIDBRACKET AND EXTENDING VERTICALLY TO ABUT THE UNDERSIDE OF SAID FRAMEWHEREBY THE VERTICAL POSITION OF SAID FRAME ON SAID COLUMN MAY BEADJUSTED, A VERTICALLY EXTENDING PIN THREADED AT ONE END INTO SAID FRAMEAND HAVING A HEAD ON THE LOWER END SPACED FROM SAID FRAME, A RIGIDCLAMPING BODY HAVING AN OPENING THERETHROUGH WHICH SLIDABLY RECEIVESSAID PIN, SAID BODY BEING ABUTTABLE WITH SAID HEAD WHICH LIMITS THEDOWNWARD MOVEMENT THEREOF, A JAW PORTION LATERALLY EXTENDING FROM THELOWER PORTION OF SAID BODY, SAID CLAMPING BODY HAVING AN ENLARGEDOPENING THERETHROUGH AND TWO HORIZONTALLY ALIGNED LEDGES EXTENDINGINWARDLY INTO SAID ENLARGED OPENING FROM THE SIDES OF SAID BODY, ACLAMPING LEVER HAVING FRONT AND REAR ENDS INSERTED THROUGH SAID ENLARGEDOPENING AND HAVING TWO DEPENDING FULCRUMS BETWEEN SAID ENDS WHICH ENGAGETHE TOP SIDES OF SAID LEDGES RESPECTIVELY, SAID LEVER EXTENDINGLATERALLY FROM SAID BODY IN THE SAME DIRECTION AS SAID JAW PORTION, ATLEAST ONE CLAMPING SCREW THREADED THROUGH THE UPPER PORTION OF SAID BODYAND EXTENDING DOWNWARDLY INTO ABUTTING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE UPPER PORTIONOF THE REAR END OF SAID LEVER, A PRINTER HAVING A FRAME PROVIDED WITHVERTICALLY SPACED UPPER AND LOWER ABUTMENT PORTIONS, SAID JAW PORTIONAND THE FRONT END OF SAID LEVER BEING INSERTED IN THE SPACE BETWEEN SAIDABUTMENT PORTIONS AND FORCEFULLY ENGAGING THE SAME TO MOUNT FIRMLY SAIDPRINTER FRAME ON SAID CLAMPING BODY, AN UPSTANDING ACTUATING RODOPERATIVELY SECURED TO SAID PRINTER FOR RAISING AND LOWERING THE LATTER,SAID PRINTER FRAME HAVING ELONGATED VERTICALLY ALIGNED SLOTS THEREIN, ASTAMP MECHANISM OPERATIVELY MOUNTED ON SAID PRINTER FRAME AND HAVINGGUIDE ELEMENTS SLIDABLY FITTED INTO SAID SLOTS, SAID ACTUATING ROD ALSOBEING OPERATIVELY CONNECTED TO SAID STAMP MECHANISM FOR MOVING THE SAMEVERTICALLY FOR THE LENGTH OF SAID SLOTS, A POWER CYLINDER HAVING APISTON BORE AND UPPER AND LOWER ENDS, SAID POWER CYLINDER BEING MOUNTEDIN AN UPRIGHT POSITION ON SAID RIGID SUPPORTING FRAME AND RECEIVING APISTON IN SAID BORE, SAID PISTON BEING ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID LOWERCYLINDER END AS A STOP, A VERTICALLY ALIGNED PISTON ROD PASSING THROUGHSAID LOWER CYLINDER END AND BEING SECURED TO SAID PISTON, SAID PISTONROD ALSO BEING SECURED TO SAID ACTUATING ROD WHEREBY RECIPROCATORYMOVEMENT OF SAID PISTON CAUSES CORRESPONDING MOVEMENT OF SAID ACTUATINGROD, SAID PIN BEING VERTICALLY ADJUSTED SUCH THAT WHEN SAID PISTONBOTTOMS AGAINST SAID LOWER CYLINDER END SAID GUIDE ELEMENTS OF SAIDSTAMP MECHANISM WILL MOVE DOWNWARDLY RELATIVE TO SAID BODY AND WILL HAVENO MORE THAN TOUCHING ENGAGEMENT WITH THE LOWER ENDS OF THE SLOTS INSAID PRINTER FRAME, AND AT LEAST ONE SPRING OPERATIVELY CONNECTEDBETWEEN SAID RIGID SUPPORTING FRAME AND SAID PISTON ROD URGING THELATTER UPWARDLY.